Here’s what 8 days of testing tells us about what to expect in 2017 F1 season

Testing for the 2017 Formula One season drew to a close last week after eight days of track action at Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. After three years of Mercedes’ dominance, fans are hoping the rule changes this year can shake-up the order.

Testing very rarely provides an accurate picture of the form book — there are just too many variables to consider. Nevertheless, the two four-day tests at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya did throw up tantalising little hints regarding who stands where.

MERC ON TOP… BUT NOT ALONE
Mercedes have dominated F1 for the last three years, marching to both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles and winning 51 of the 59 races since the start of 2014. Their new challenger, christened the W08, looked easily the most aggressive and brutal of the cars unveiled at the time of its launch.

Unsurprisingly, it has been quick out on track, too. Lewis Hamilton and new teammate Valtteri Bottas have topped the timesheets on three of the eight days of testing. But more crucially, they have been racking up the laps, completing 1,096 tours of the 4.655 kilometre Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, more than any rival.

But they haven’t quite had it all their own way. Ferrari appear to be right with them. The sport’s most successful team endured a trying and winless season last year but have been quietly going about their business, saying little and setting no expectations.

Between them, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen have completed 956 laps in total and topped the timesheets on four of the eight days of running, with the Finn even setting the fastest time of the winter on the final day. Ferrari have f lattered to deceive while Mercedes have hidden their true pace in the past. But if the battle between the two does turn out to be as close as testing suggests, then 2017 will be a season to savour.



RED BULL, HIDDEN CARDS
Red Bull have had a low-key eight days of testing. With star designer Adrian Newey leading the design of their RB13, the former champions had been tipped to be Mercedes’ closest challengers. But neither Daniel Ricciardo nor Max Verstappen have set eye-catching times, while niggles with their Renault power unit have hindered running. But, as Christian Horner told reporters in Barcelona, Red Bull never tries to win the ‘winter world championship’ and neither team nor drivers seemed too concerned. This, together with a probable raft of updates to build on what was remarked upon as a surprisingly basic specification of car, could suggest Red Bull have something up their sleeve.

MCLAREN’S HONDA WOES
McLaren were being tipped as potential dark horses for 2017, having made steady progress last season after a reunion-to-forget with engine partner Honda in 2015.

But that promise has failed to materialise so far with repeated problems with the revamped Honda power unit restricting the number of laps they’ve been able to put in.

McLaren ended testing bottom of the lapcount charts with a whopping 671 fewer laps on the board than Mercedes and 159 fewer laps than Toro Rosso, one place above them. Double world champion Fernando Alonso estimates his car has a 30 km/h deficit to rivals down the straights alone.